Recognising the efforts made to ensure a sustainable games industry

The Grads In Games Awards are designed to recognise the individuals and institutions that have made a real impact in improving the links between the games industry and education.

The awards will recognise and highlight the academics, universities, colleges & courses that are going the extra mile, not just in educating, but actively helping students make the leap from student games developer to professional games developer!

We will also recognise the students and projects that are already firmly on this path, producing exemplary work and helping those around them to achieve more.

Full category details & eligibility requirements for this years awards can be found below.

Shortlists & Winners

Final shortlists will be released from late March 2018 & all finalists will be invited to attend the Search For A Star Conference on April 6th.

Winners will be announced at an awards presentation at the Search For A Star Conference.

Academic Award

Eligibility : Individual academics, lecturers & tutors who have contributed to games or games-related courses during the eligibility period. Team/group nominations may also be considered in place of individual nominations.

Lecturers & academics who have demonstrated a real, positive impact with their students over the past 12 months. We want to showcase the academics who are doing the most to help students, giving them the best opportunities to graduate straight into a games industry role.

These are the academics that go beyond just the lectures, who go out of their way to mentor students, to organise industry events and speakers, and can show the beneficial results of their work.

Educational Institution Award

Eligibility : Universities, colleges and academic institutions who have operated undergraduate or post-graduate games or games-related courses during the eligibility period.

Universities and academic institutions that have demonstrated a real, positive impact with their students over the past 12 months. We want to showcase the departments and courses that are doing the most to help students, giving them the best opportunities to graduate straight into a games industry role.

We want to recognise the institutions who actively implement initiatives or take positive actions to help students gain employment within the games industry.

Student Award

Eligibility : Individuals who have studied undergraduate or post-graduate games or games-related courses.

Current students who have demonstrated a real, positive impact within their work & with their their fellow students over the past 12 months. We want to showcase the students who are the highest achievers, going above and beyond expectations to ensure the best chance of graduating straight into a games industry role.

These are the students that actively strive to learn more, are happy to help and share their knowledge, who are always trying new things and new approaches, and who probably already have an impressive portfolio of projects both as part of coursework & as extra-curricular work.

Student Game Award

Eligibility : Games released during the eligibility period, created by individuals or teams studying undergraduate or post-graduate games or games-related courses. Games do not need to have been created as part of coursework or as an academic project.

Student games projects published within the past 12 months, that demonstrate a strong talent and aptitude from its developer(s). These can be an individual project or a group project, either as part of student coursework or produced independently and extra-curricular. We want to showcase the projects that go above and beyond expectations & highlight students making excellent preparation for life as a professional developer.

Graduate Employer Award

Eligibility : Studios and companies within the games industry who have hired interns, graduate or junior level staff during the eligibility period.

Games studios & companies that have demonstrated a positive and pro-active approach in hiring and supporting graduates & interns over the past 12 months. We want to showcase the studios that are doing the most to help the next generation of games developers, working towards a more sustainable future for the games industry.

These are the companies who take an active role in mentoring and supporting their junior staff, training them not just for their current role, but preparing them for their career ahead in games.

Graduate Impact Award

Eligibility : Individuals who have been employed within the games industry for 2 years or less, in graduate, junior and/or intern roles.

Recent graduates and junior staff that have exceeded expectations in a studio role. We want to showcase the staff that are making their first steps in the industry but are already having a hugely positive impact, not just within your studio but also towards the industry as a whole.

From graduates quickly becoming an essential and integral member of their team, to those already developing leadership potential, and to those in early stages of becoming key figures at industry events and outreach initiatives, we want to recognise the burgeoning efforts of these future games superstars & the benefits that graduate staff can bring to a team.

Search for a Star & Sumo Digital Rising Star Awards

These awards will be judged by a separate panel as part of the Search For A Star final assessments.